Meet Eveen Ajir

Photo Credit: Eveen Ajir
Tue, 11/19/2019 - 10:03

Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Psychology, global studies

Tell us about yourself:
I was born in a Kurdish-majority city in Iran called Sanandaj or “Sna” for short. When I was 2 years old, my family picked up everything and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. We fled Iran largely due to the oppression of the Kurdish people, who are considered second-class citizens in that region. My father, a former political activist, knew Iran was no place for Kurds to prosper and live comfortably without constant segregation, persecution, and discrimination from the people and government there.

Growing up in Lincoln has given me an endless amount of opportunities that I never would have experienced if I was still living in Iran. For me, the most valuable advantage is being able to have access to higher education. I’m happy to say I will be graduating in December of 2019 with a BA in Communication Studies and a double minor in Psychology and Global Studies. I hope to continue my education as time progresses.

I speak 3 languages: Kurdish, Farsi, and English. I grew up speaking Kurdish inside the home and English outside. At home I followed the Kurdish culture and the values that accompany it. My dad was proud of who we were and wanted his children to understand the importance of our rare identity. I picked up Farsi because I grew up surrounded by it, as it is the primary language in Iran. It was when I started to take Communication Studies courses that I realized language and communication are two different things. It takes practice, understanding, and skill to be able to distinguish between the ways in which you communicate depending on the language you speak. I never knew that I was paying attention to various verbal and non-verbal messages, that as a result, changed my way of communicating.

Why did you choose Communication Studies?
I chose communication studies because this is a degree that has the ability to go beyond its limits. Effective communication is crucial when it comes to positively contributing to personal interactions, business relationships and the mass dissemination of information through media outlets. As a communication major, I wanted to improve my analytical skills and functional proficiency in comprehending, interpreting, writing, and speaking, in order to become a critical thinker and effective problem solver in contemporary society. Most professions require an individual to communicate effectively, and while many believe they already have the skills necessary to do that, I’ve learned that this degree can teach you things far beyond what you thought you knew about communication. As a plus, it’s a major that allows you to be flexible in your future career path.


What classes have you most enjoyed?
Political Communication because the concepts and issues include an understanding of the public sphere. Political communication identifies the ways in which politicians, media and citizens engage to shape public policy and how political decision-makers and opinion leaders influence policy outcomes by framing issues in specific ways and seek to control media agendas.


I also enjoyed Public advocacy and Civic Engagement. This class taught me how to develop civic engagement campaigns using rhetorical resources. It also taught me about public deliberation, advocacy, and civic engagement in a democratic society.

Interpersonal communication was also a very engaging class that taught me about people skills. These are the skills we use when communicating and collaborating with others. If there is one thing I took away from this class it’s that the more personable you are, the better you’re able to contribute as a cohesive member of a team.

What are your plans post-graduation?
I began working full time as a business analyst for a local company and will continue to do this after graduating in December.


What advice do you have for current Communication Studies majors?
I would advise current students to get involved. Get involved in the community, in organizations, and in clubs. You should also get to know the Communication Studies department—your fellow COMM majors because you're going to see them a lot! Get to know your professors, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. Finally, I would tell them to try to find an internship opportunity as early as you can to build your resume and remember that the opportunities are endless for Communication Studies majors.